By Hernán Guillermo Galindo M.
Special to the International Sports Desk
ELKHART LAKE, Wisconsin — Colombian motorsport is celebrating a monumental achievement on the international stage. Following a masterclass in consistency, speed, and racecraft, 2026 has officially etched the name of Sebastián "Tatán" Garzón into the history books of American open-wheel racing.
The young racing sensation from the Huila department in Colombia secured the prestigious 2026 USF2000 Championship presented by Continental Tire over the weekend. Clinching the title during the high-stakes season finale at the historic Road America circuit in Wisconsin, Garzón not only captured the coveted drivers’ championship crown but also locked in a career-altering scholarship valued at over $400,000 USD. This financial backing will pave his direct path to compete in the USF Pro 2000 championship for the 2027 season, moving him one major step closer to his ultimate dream: the NTT IndyCar Series.
Operating under the expert banner of DEForce Racing, Garzón approached the final weekend of the campaign with tactical maturity. Needing only to protect his standing in the points table, the Colombian driver secured a third-place finish in Saturday’s chaotic opening encounter and safely navigated a trouble-free fourth-place finish in Sunday’s race. These results brought his season-ending tally to an impressive 383 points, comfortably eclipsing his closest championship rival, Australian driver Brad Majman of Pabst Racing, who finished the year with 354 points.
1. Main Facts: The Triumph at Road America
The conclusion of the 2026 USF2000 season at Road America—often referred to as America’s National Park of Speed—delivered all the high-octane drama expected from the Cooper Tires development ladder. For Garzón, the weekend was the culmination of more than a decade of hard work, sacrifices, and relentless dedication.
Driving the No. [Car Number] DEForce Racing Tatuus USF-22, Garzón’s championship campaign was built on remarkable consistency. Across the season, the young Huilense secured four race victories and stepped onto the podium an astonishing ten times.
"Alwaysrre I was sure that I was going to win the championship. I had the best car on the grid, and I was in the best team," Garzón stated firmly during an exclusive post-race interview. "We always worked with my team, DEForce Racing, to be better every single day. My toughest rival throughout the year was Brad Majman, who was with the Pabst team, but our preparation spoke for itself."
The title carries profound economic and professional weight within the Road to Indy development system. The championship scholarship, officially valued at $409,816 USD, covers the necessary budgetary foundation for Garzón to ascend to the next tier of American single-seater racing, the USF Pro 2000 presented by Continental Tire, in 2027.
2. Chronology of the Weekend: Drama, Strategy, and Glory
The championship finale was anything but a straightforward victory lap. It was a weekend defined by intense wheel-to-wheel battles, sudden shifts in momentum, and strategic masterclasses.
Thursday and Friday: Setting the Tone
Garzón’s weekend began with intense focus as the field took to the legendary 4.048-mile, 14-turn Road America circuit for practice and qualifying sessions. From the opening laps, the Colombian driver demonstrated strong pace, finding the right setup balance with his DEForce Racing engineers to tackle the sweeping corners and long straights of the Wisconsin road course.
Saturday: Chaos and Carnage
The first race of the weekend on Saturday afternoon delivered heart-stopping drama in the closing laps. As the race entered its dying stages, championship contender Brad Majman made an aggressive and desperate bid to overtake Garzón. The maneuver went wrong, resulting in a spectacular crash that sent Majman’s monoplaza airborne and eliminated him from contention.
While the incident triggered frantic scenes in the paddock, it reshaped the race podium. Ryan Giannetta of VRD Racing inherited the race victory, while Gabriel Cahan of Exclusive Autosport claimed second. For Garzón, an audible sigh of relief echoed over the team radio as he crossed the finish line to collect vital championship points, securing a hard-fought third-place podium finish that effectively put one hand on the championship trophy.
Sunday: Perfection and Relief
Sunday morning offered pristine weather conditions, setting the stage for a clean, highly competitive finale. Eddie Beswick of Pabst Racing bounced back from earlier team setbacks—following a rapid, flawless repair job by his mechanics—to dominate the race. Beswick expertly rebuffed all challenges to claim his fourth victory of the 2026 season.
Behind the frantic battle for the race win, Garzón executed a textbook defensive and strategic drive. Knowing he held a comfortable mathematical cushion over his remaining championship rivals, the Colombian pilot resisted unnecessary risks. He managed his tires, maintained his rhythm, and methodically brought his car home in fourth position. As the checkered flag waved over Road America, the timing screens confirmed what the DEForce Racing pit wall already knew: Sebastián Garzón was the 2026 USF2000 Champion.
3. Supporting Data and Championship Standings
The 2026 USF2000 season will be remembered as one of the most competitive in recent history, characterized by intense parity across the grid and stellar performances from international talents.
Final 2026 USF2000 Driver Championship Standings (Top 5):
- Sebastián Garzón (Colombia / DEForce Racing) – 383 Points (Champion)
- Brad Majman (Australia / Pabst Racing) – 354 Points
- [Third Place Driver Name / Team] – [Points]
- [Fourth Place Driver Name / Team] – [Points]
- [Fifth Place Driver Name / Team] – [Points]
Garzón’s championship statistics highlight his dominance:
- Total Wins: 4
- Total Podiums: 10
- Scholarship Awarded: $409,816 USD
4. Official Responses and In-Depth Interviews
Speaking exclusively to LA NACIÓN and LA NACIÓN Stereo late Sunday evening from the United States—just hours before the official championship gala awards ceremony—Garzón reflected on the emotional magnitude of his triumph.
"Hello, thank you very much for this invitation and for always keeping an eye on my career," Garzón began, radiating joy and relief. "I started my journey toward this title 12 years ago when I first stepped into karts. I am extremely happy to have achieved this result and to bring this title home to Colombia."
When asked about the closing moments of the season finale, the young champion explained the tactical mindset that guided him through the pressure cooker of Sunday’s race.
"In race two, I already had a very good points cushion over second and third in the standings," Garzón recounted. "So, I started the final race very calmly. When I crossed the finish line in fourth, I already knew I was the champion because I had finished ahead of my championship rival. That was the moment it all sank in, and I felt pure happiness."
He also paid tribute to the network of support that made his American racing dream possible—most notably his father, Medardo Garzón, who has served as a constant pillar, mentor, and emotional anchor throughout his racing career. A touching photograph captured the father-and-son celebration in the Road America paddock immediately following the race.
5. Implications and Future Outlook: The Road to Indy and Beyond
With the 2026 USF2000 crown secured, the motorsport world takes little time to catch its breath. The focus for Garzón and the development paddock now shifts immediately to the upcoming postseason testing.
The USF Pro Fall Combine
The next major milestone on the horizon is the USF Pro Fall Combine, scheduled to take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix circuit on October 17 and 18, 2026. This crucial two-day test will serve as the official launchpad for the 2027 season, allowing teams and newly graduated drivers to sample the machinery and begin preparations for the next competitive step up the ladder.
Immediate Plans and Karting Commitments
Despite securing a major formula racing title, Garzón has no intention of slowing down his training regimen. Next week, he will return briefly to Colombia to reunite with family, catch up with local media, and maintain his rigorous physical conditioning, sports psychology, and simulator routines.
However, before the year closes, he will return to the United States for high-level karting competition.
"What remains of my season this year are the karting races in Las Vegas, which I will run with my team in the KSN Senior and BNR Senior categories," Garzón revealed. "And, as I mentioned before, I will continue working intensely on my mental and physical preparation for what comes next year in the Pro category."
A Message to Huila, Colombia, and Potential Partners
Deeply rooted in his home department, Garzón took a moment to send a heartfelt message to his compatriots back home.
"A very special greeting to all the people of Huila and Neiva for always keeping track of my career and for giving me so much encouragement through the good times and the bad," he expressed. "I will always strive to leave Colombia’s flag flying as high as possible. Thank you very much to everyone, and God bless you."
Garzón also extended an open invitation to the business community and prospective sponsors to join him on his upward trajectory. Specifically addressing Colombian businessman Felipe Olave, he noted:
"I want to send a very special greeting to Mr. Felipe Olave. I hope you are doing well, that we can speak very soon, and I invite you to join my sporting career. I know that together we can go very far. Thank you all for following my journey, and God bless you. Chao!"
As Sebastián "Tatán" Garzón prepares to transition to the USF Pro 2000 category in 2027, Colombian motorsport fans can rest assured that a new ambassador is rising rapidly through the international ranks—carrying the hopes of a nation all the way to the doorstep of IndyCar.
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